This class will be held at Sirchie's Headquarters in Youngsville, NC Oct 16-19, 2023
Throughout the United States and certainly in smaller departments, the crime scene technician faces the complexities of homicide scenes without the proper support or training. Like all forensic disciplines, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis is only useful if the patterns are captured and sampled properly. Students of our other popular Crime Scene Technology and fingerprint classes have requested this training; therefore, SIRCHIE, in conjunction with BEVEL, GARDNER ASSOCIATES INC, is pleased to offer this bloodstain analysis curriculum. Class size is limited, so register as soon as possible.
This 4-day, hands-on course is intended for crime scene investigators/technicians introducing the student to the nature and value of bloodstain pattern evidence; teaching the student to recognize basic pattern types and demonstrating through practical exercise the Roadmapping method of documenting bloodstain pattern evidence. At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to recognize basic bloodstain pattern types and be familiar through practice with a proven method of documenting bloodstains for future analysis. Ross M. Gardner
Your Instructor
Ross M. Gardner worked for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) as a felony criminal investigator for nearly twenty years. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major and Special Agent in 1999 after serving a total of 24 years in US Army law enforcement. Subsequently, he served four years as the Chief of Police for the City of Lake City Georgia, a small suburban Atlanta police department. Currently, he is now retired and active in independent consulting.
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Curriculum
Day 1
Introduction and Registration (30 mins)
Recognizing the Value of Bloodstain Patterns (3 hrs) This lecture format is designed to introduce the student to the basic pattern types, their value to the investigation and how to recognize the patterns based on physical characteristics.
Pattern Recognition Practical (1 hr) This is a practical exercise in which the students view various patterns and are asked to identify the basic pattern type.
A Review of Basic Crime Scene Documentation (1.5 hrs) This is a lecture on basic crime scene documentation aspects, with emphasis on crime scene photography techniques (e.g., camera control, lighting, and the three basic crime scene photographs).
Applying the Roadmapping Method for Bloodstain Documentation (2 hrs) This is a lecture and demonstration of the Roadmapping methodology.
Day 2
Group Practical (2 hrs) Small groups (4-5 students) document a bloodstain scene utilizing the Roadmapping methodology.
Roadmapping Practical Peer Review (1.5 hrs) Student groups present their documentation effort to the class and instructor.
Impact Pattern Documentation for Subsequent Analysis (1.5 hrs) This is a lecture of a method for documenting impact patterns for subsequent Area of Origin (AO) analysis by another expert. The lecture will include an explanation of AO as well as both physical and virtual stringing techniques used to define AO.
Group Practical Documenting Impact Patterns (1 hr) Groups apply Impact Pattern documentation methods.
Impact Pattern Practical Review (1 hr) Student groups present their documentation effort to the class and instructor.
Day 3
Group Practical Road Mapping (2 hrs) Small groups (4-5 students) document a bloodstain scene utilizing the Roadmapping methodology.
Roadmapping Practical Peer Review (1.5 hrs) Student groups present their documentation effort to the class and instructor.
Enhancement of Latent Bloodstain Patterns (1.5 hrs) This is a lecture on the use of varying enhancement techniques and photography of latent bloodstain patterns.
Enhancement of Bloodstain Patterns Practical (2 hrs) Student groups practice the use of luminol to enhance latent bloodstain patterns and learn basic photographic techniques.
Pattern Recognition Test Students individual skill in patterns recognition will be tested using a 15 pattern visual test.
Day 4
Presumptive Testing of Bloodstain Patterns (2 hrs) Lecture and practical on using basic presumptive tests to determine the nature of a suspected stain.
Group Practical Complex Scene Documentation Practical (2 hrs) Groups apply Impact Pattern Documentation methods.
Group Practical Review (2 hrs) Groups present their documentation efforts to the class and instructor. They will be expected to identify the basic patterns present in their scenes in addition to demonstrating proper application of the Roadmapping method.
Course Evaluation Methods Pattern recognition will be tested through a pattern recognition test. Photography and documentation will be tested through practical exercise.
